Abstract. Based on the memories of eyewitnesses, printed diaries and monographs is investigated the situation of the rural popula- tion of Chernihiv region in the period of direct fights and occupation in September, 1941. These memories allow to trace morally – psychological state of the population during the first meeting with the soldiers of the Wehrmacht. Note that the among the population of at that time were typical feelings of embarrassment and fear of the constant threat to their own security and life during the fighting and the subsequent occupation. These concerns took place, such as the Wehrmacht troops could destroy the inhabitants in the event of any suspicion during the attack of a settlement. Especially a depressing effect was caused by massive robbery of peasants during the attack of a settlement. People were forced to watch as within minutes were robbed or destroyed their property, acquired by over the years. The interpersonal contacts peasants and German soldiers were problematic too. Often farmers  were had met dismissive attitude and derision their homes that had significantly poorer look, in contrast to German. However, we note that among the invaders were people who adequately regarded local peasants. Other aspects of the first days of occupation the witnesses noted the significant advantage of Nazi weapons and equipment over the Soviet analogue. Difficult for farmers was the farewell to the Red Army soldiers that left their settlements under the pressure of superior enemy forces. Moreover, as noted by witnesses, Soviet soldiers had signifi- cantly worse uniform, unlike the soldiers of the Wehrmacht. Witnesses remembered about the inhuman attitude to Red Army soldiers in camps for prisoners of war who were in appalling conditions.